York County outlines busy waterfront calendar and Sail Yorktown plans for 2026 semiquincentennial

York County’s Economic and Tourism Development staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on a packed fall and upcoming holiday schedule for Yorktown on Oct. 21, and previewed 2026 events tied to the Commonwealth’s semiquincentennial.

Alicia Taylor, waterfront operations specialist, and Kevin Ritchie, event manager, outlined recent and upcoming programs including the Yorktown Wine & Oyster Festival, Yorktoberfest, a two‑day maritime festival, and a sequence of winter markets and family events that culminate with tree‑lighting, a two‑day Christmas market, a lighted boat parade, Cookies with Santa and a Polar Express ride on the waterfront.

Taylor and Ritchie said public works crews will install holiday greenery and a 24‑foot waterfront tree; community partners including the York County Chamber, Boy Scouts and historical organizations will help run activities. They also noted partnerships with Jamestown‑Yorktown Foundation, Colonial National Historical Park and others to mark Virginia’s 250th anniversary.

Staff previewed Sail Yorktown 2026 — an affiliate harbor event for Sail Virginia — that will host tall ships and interpretive programs across multiple historic sites in June 2026, and Victory Weekend events clustered around July 3–4, 2026. Taylor said a formal request has been submitted to the U.S. Navy to consider commissioning a new USS Yorktown as part of the semi‑quincentennial recognition.

Board members praised the tourism calendar and staff for coordinating volunteers and nonprofit partners. Supervisors asked staff to continue outreach to businesses and to share schedules in advance so residents can plan visits.